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sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
Two siblings find themselves on opposite sides of the drug cartels that run Juarez. While Sara is a promising young journalists exposing the the cartels' kidnapping of young girls, her brother finds that in order to become the successful business man he wants to be and to win the heart of his beautiful classmate, he'll have to become comfortable with doing whatever it takes, even if that means compromising his values.
I wanted to rate this 2 stars, but I think most of my issues with it were that I wasn't the target audience for this book (teenage boys are so frustrating to someone who's never been one). It's also a little weird that this is a YA book when Sara is in her twenties, but acts like she's 16 most of the time. I can't decide if that's poor writing or just evidence of a sheltered upbringing. I almost gave up on this a few times, but since I was reading it for a Read Harder challenge, I stuck with it and I think I'm okay with that.
Good for teens looking for a suspenseful story that also wrestles with issues of wrong and right.
I wanted to rate this 2 stars, but I think most of my issues with it were that I wasn't the target audience for this book (teenage boys are so frustrating to someone who's never been one). It's also a little weird that this is a YA book when Sara is in her twenties, but acts like she's 16 most of the time. I can't decide if that's poor writing or just evidence of a sheltered upbringing. I almost gave up on this a few times, but since I was reading it for a Read Harder challenge, I stuck with it and I think I'm okay with that.
Good for teens looking for a suspenseful story that also wrestles with issues of wrong and right.
hayleybeale's review
4.0
Set in present day Ciudad Juarez, young adult siblings Sara and Emiliano confront crime and corruption with their consciences. See my full review here.
kennisn's review
5.0
A thrilling read whose ending had me biting my teeth and getting a little teary-eyed! I highly recommend others read this - especially those that need to better understand and empathize with the plight of migrants, especially those fleeing violence and persecution in their country.
jessicareads85's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
retiredlibrarylady's review
5.0
Supposedly the first sentence should indicate what to expect from a book.
"On the morning of November 14, the day she was kidnapped, Linda Fuentes opened the door to my house and walked into the kitchen, where my family was having breakfast;" so starts this amazing story. Sara Zapata is a journalist who has been writing about girls disappearing in Juarez since this happened. She receives a threat, to her and to her family, and in her subsequent investigation finds that Linda is still alive. Meanwhile, her brother Emiliano is pursuing a better life and a girlfriend quite above him on the socio-economic scale, and gets caught up in a drug-smuggling scheme. All of this comes to a head and the family flees just ahead of murderers who shoot up their house. There's a lot more going on, but the major theme is personal choice between doing the right thing or going down a different path. Another thread is the importance of family, and just what constitutes a family.
This is the best book I have read so far this year. And it won't even be published until September! I read a review copy.
"On the morning of November 14, the day she was kidnapped, Linda Fuentes opened the door to my house and walked into the kitchen, where my family was having breakfast;" so starts this amazing story. Sara Zapata is a journalist who has been writing about girls disappearing in Juarez since this happened. She receives a threat, to her and to her family, and in her subsequent investigation finds that Linda is still alive. Meanwhile, her brother Emiliano is pursuing a better life and a girlfriend quite above him on the socio-economic scale, and gets caught up in a drug-smuggling scheme. All of this comes to a head and the family flees just ahead of murderers who shoot up their house. There's a lot more going on, but the major theme is personal choice between doing the right thing or going down a different path. Another thread is the importance of family, and just what constitutes a family.
This is the best book I have read so far this year. And it won't even be published until September! I read a review copy.
maryehavens's review
5.0
Immediately reading #2 after this finishes. Or listening, rather, since both were part of the SYNC audiobook program.
This fictional tale could 100% be the story of anyone living in Juarez. It was frustrating to hear Sarah being stopped at every turn, Emiliano and his friends having zero opportunities, and the general life of living in Juarez.
This tale is authentic, very reminiscent of The Devil's Highway but more of the backstory - in fact, the border crossing is only towards the last quarter.
Cannot recommend enough!
This fictional tale could 100% be the story of anyone living in Juarez. It was frustrating to hear Sarah being stopped at every turn, Emiliano and his friends having zero opportunities, and the general life of living in Juarez.
This tale is authentic, very reminiscent of The Devil's Highway but more of the backstory - in fact, the border crossing is only towards the last quarter.
Cannot recommend enough!
biblioemily's review
3.0
It's really a 3.5: While I enjoyed this book, I found the ending to be wrapped up too easily. Sara finds a sympathetic park ranger whose father happens to be a lawyer who handles immigration/asylum cases? Emiliano is rescued by a older man who has compassion for him and takes care of him? We are also led to believe that Emiliano is headed to Chicago where he will leave his yearnings for more that led him toward entering the drug trade? And how lucky that Emiliano is well-versed in wilderness survival techniques. The book centers on a timely and important issue, but there are a number of things that make the story go right that are just too coincidental. This could be a good book for a book club where readers can discuss the background of the issues that the book explores.
sc104906's review
2.0
This book uses alternating perspectives between reporter, Sara, and her younger brother, Emiliano.
Sara's best friend was kidnapped several months ago and she uses her position at the paper to continue shining light on her friend and other girls like. After Sara and her family are threatened, Sara's bosses insist that she stop investigating and work on other things. Sara simply can't and her honor makes her the best person for the job.
Emiliano has his own identity crises, when some bad dudes offer him the ability to make some money in a not so legal way. Emiliano must decide what is most important to him.
This was set up to be a fast crime mystery, but it was a bit dry for me. I did know the characters and I understood their motivations and actions, but it was difficult to connect with the story. I never found myself fully caring to solve the mystery. I feel that this novel gave hope to situations that felt hopeless. It just didn't rock my world.
Sara's best friend was kidnapped several months ago and she uses her position at the paper to continue shining light on her friend and other girls like. After Sara and her family are threatened, Sara's bosses insist that she stop investigating and work on other things. Sara simply can't and her honor makes her the best person for the job.
Emiliano has his own identity crises, when some bad dudes offer him the ability to make some money in a not so legal way. Emiliano must decide what is most important to him.
This was set up to be a fast crime mystery, but it was a bit dry for me. I did know the characters and I understood their motivations and actions, but it was difficult to connect with the story. I never found myself fully caring to solve the mystery. I feel that this novel gave hope to situations that felt hopeless. It just didn't rock my world.
msseviereads's review
5.0
I was worried because it seemed to take sooooo loooong to get to the action. But -- exceeded expectations and it wasn't rushed at all. Some unanswered questions at the end -- but it was satisfying for me and I seemed to be able to wrap up those loose ends for myself.
Great book! Will go on the middle school book shelf.
Great book! Will go on the middle school book shelf.
bestdressedbookworm's review
3.0
For me this started very strong, I was caught up in the underbelly of this world. The strong family protection, the honour, the fight and the intrigue behind the girls disappearances. But rather than keeping this story about the main issue it opened with it solved that half way through and became an adventure man hunt which is where I lost a fair bit of interest. Im sorry if this sounds insensitive but the suplimantary stories were not as interesting and they towards the end became the main focus.
Not for me sadly
Not for me sadly